Ambulatory arterial stiffness index is associated with impaired left atrial mechanical functions in hypertensive diabetic patients: A speckle tracking study.

OBJECTIVE: The ambulatory arterial stiffness index has been proposed as an indicator of arterial stiffness. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that increased ambulatory arterial stiffness index might be related with impaired left atrial function in hypertensive diabetic patients with no previous history of cardiovascular disease. METHODS: Inclusion criteria included office systolic BP> 130 mm Hg or diastolic BP> 80 mm Hg and absence of secondary causes of HT, whereas exclusion criteria LV ejection fraction <50%, history of significant coronary artery disease, chronic renal failure, atrial fibrillation/ flutter, second or third-degree atrioventricular block, moderate to severe valvular heart disease, history of cerebrovascular disease, non-dipper hypertensive pattern and sleep apnea. The study was composed of 121 hypertensive diabetic patients. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and echocardiography were performed in each patient. The relationship between ambulatory arterial stiffness index and left atrial functions was analyzed. AASI was calculated as 1 minus the regression slope of diastolic BP plotted against systolic BP obtained through individual 24-h ABPM. RESULTS: The univariate analysis showed that ambulatory arterial stiffness index was positively correlated with age (r=:0.287, p=:0.001), hypertension duration (r=:0.388, p<0.001), fasting plasma glucose (r=:0.224, p=:0.014), HbA1c (r=:0.206, p=:0.023), LDL cholesterol (r=:0.254, p=:0.005), and also overall pulse pressure (r=:0.195, p=:0.002), office- pulse pressure (r=:0.188, p=:0.039), carotid intima-media thickness (r=:0.198, p=:0.029), E/E' (r=:0.248, p=:0.006), and left atrial volume index (r=:0.237, p=:0.009). Moreover, ambulatory arterial stiffness index was negatively correlated with eGFR (r=:(-) 0.242, p=:0.008), peak left atrial strain during ventricular systole [S-LAs (r=:(-) 0.654, p<0.001)], peak left atrial strain at early diastole [S-LAe (r=:(-)0.215, p=:0.018)], and peak left atrial strain rate during ventricular systole [SR-LAs (r=:(-) 0.607, p<0.001)]. The multiple linear regression analysis showed that ambulatory arterial stiffness index was independently associated with peak left atrial strain rate during ventricular systole (SR-LAs) (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In hypertensive diabetic patients, increased ambulatory arterial stiffness index is associated with impaired left atrial functions, independent of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.

Value of coronary artery calcium score to predict severity or complexity of coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Prediction of severity or complexity of coronary artery disease (CAD) is valuable owing to increased risk for cardiovascular events. Although the association between total coronary artery calcium (CAC) score and severity of CAD, Gensini score was not used, it has been previously demonstrated. There is no information about the association between total CAC score and complexity of CAD. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between severity or complexity of coronary artery disease (CAD) assessed by Gensini score and SYNTAX score (SS), respectively, and coronary artery calcium (CAC) score, which is a noninvasive method for CAD evaluation in symptomatic patients with accompanying significant CAD. METHODS: Two-hundred-fourteen patients were enrolled. Total CAC score was obtained before angiography. Severity and complexity of CAD was assessed by Gensini score and SS, respectively. Associations between clinical and angiographic parameters and total CAC score were analyzed. RESULTS: Median total CAC score was 192 (23.0-729.8), and this was positively correlated with both Gensini score (r: 0.299, p<0.001) and SS (r: 0.577, p<0.001). At multivariate analysis, it was independently associated with age (ß: 0.154, p: 0.027), male gender (ß: 0.126, p: 0.035) and SS (ß: 0.481, p<0.001). Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed a cut-off value>809 for SS>32 (high SS tertile). CONCLUSION: In symptomatic patients with accompanying significant CAD, total CAC score was independently associated with SS and patients with SS>32 may be detected through high Agatston score.

Valor do escore de calcio coronariano para prever a gravidade ou complexidade da doenca arterial coronariana / Value of coronary artery calcium score to predict severity or complexity of coronary artery disease

FUNDAMENTO: A previsão de gravidade ou complexidade da doença arterial coronariana (DAC) é valiosa devido ao aumento do risco de eventos cardiovasculares. Embora a associação entre o escore do cálcio arterial coronariano (CAC), e a gravidade da DAC pelo escore Gensini não tenha sido utilizado, já foi anteriormente demonstrado. Não há informações sobre a associação entre o escore do CAC total e a complexidade da DAC. OBJETIVOS: Investigar a associação entre a gravidade ou complexidade da doença arterial coronariana (DAC), avaliada pelo escore Gensini e SYNTAX (SS), respectivamente, e o escore do cálcio arterial coronariano (CAC), um método não invasivo para avaliação de DAC em pacientes sintomáticos com DAC significativa. MÉTODOS: Duzentos e quatorze pacientes foram incluídos. A pontuação total do CAC foi obtido antes da angiografia. A severidade e complexidade da DAC foram avaliadas pelo escore Gensini e SS, respectivamente. Foram analisadas as associações entre parâmetros clínicos e angiográficos e o escore total do CAC. RESULTADOS: A mediana do escore total do CAC foi de 192 (23,0-729,8), e correlacionou-se positivamente com ambos os escores Gensini (r: 0,299, p < 0,001) e ES (r: 0,577, p < 0,001). Na análise multivariada associou-se independentemente com a idade (ß: 0,154, p: 0,027), sexo masculino (ß: 0,126, p: 0,035) e ES (ß: 0,481, p < 0,001). A análise da curva ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristics) revelou um valor de corte > 809 para ES > 32 (tercil de SS alto). CONCLUSÃO: Em pacientes sintomáticos com DAC significativa, o escore total de CAC foi independentemente associado com SS e os pacientes com SS > 32 podem ser detectados através de escore Agatston alto. .

BACKGROUND: Prediction of severity or complexity of coronary artery disease (CAD) is valuable owing to increased risk for cardiovascular events. Although the association between total coronary artery calcium (CAC) score and severity of CAD, Gensini score was not used, it has been previously demonstrated. There is no information about the association between total CAC score and complexity of CAD. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between severity or complexity of coronary artery disease (CAD) assessed by Gensini score and SYNTAX score (SS), respectively, and coronary artery calcium (CAC) score, which is a noninvasive method for CAD evaluation in symptomatic patients with accompanying significant CAD. METHODS: Two-hundred-fourteen patients were enrolled. Total CAC score was obtained before angiography. Severity and complexity of CAD was assessed by Gensini score and SS, respectively. Associations between clinical and angiographic parameters and total CAC score were analyzed. RESULTS: Median total CAC score was 192 (23.0-729.8), and this was positively correlated with both Gensini score (r: 0.299, p<0.001) and SS (r: 0.577, p<0.001). At multivariate analysis, it was independently associated with age (ß: 0.154, p: 0.027), male gender (ß: 0.126, p: 0.035) and SS (ß: 0.481, p< 0.001). Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed a cut-off value > 809 for SS >32 (high SS tertile). CONCLUSION: In symptomatic patients with accompanying significant CAD, total CAC score was independently associated with SS and patients with SS >32 may be detected through high Agatston score. .

Association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and coronary artery disease complexity in patients with acute coronary syndrome: a pilot study.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is highly prevalent in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We assessed the association between NAFLD and SYNTAX Score (SS) in patients with ACS. Eighty consecutive patients with ACS were enrolled. Patients were evaluated using ultrasound to detect NAFLD and hepatosteatosis stage. The prevalence of NAFLD was 81.2%; median SS was 15. The SS was significantly higher in patients with NAFLD (18 ± 8 vs. 11 ± 5, P = .001). Univariate analysis showed that the stage of NAFLD correlated with SS (r = .6, P < .001). In multivariate binary logistic analysis, increased age (odds ratio [OR], 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI],1.00-1.10) and presence of NAFLD (OR, 13.20; 95% CI, 2.52-69.15) were independent factors associated with supramedian SS. In conclusion, among patients with ACS, those with NAFLD have more complex CAD as assessed by SS.